eBay Launches First Collection of NFTs In Partnership With Web3 Company OneOf

Global e-commerce company eBay has announced the launch of a collection of 13 exclusive NFTs (non-fungible tokens) that will feature 3D interpretations of athletes, through a strategic partnership with OneOf, an NFT platform for communities across music, sports, and lifestyle.

eBay's first-ever "Genesis" NFT Collection will feature 3D and animated interpretations of the iconic athletes featured on Sports Illustrated covers over the years, the first of which would be available beginning Monday at eBay.com/oneofgretzkynft, the company said in a statement.

The collection includes 13 limited-edition digital collectables as green, gold, platinum, and diamond tier NFTs, with up to 299 editions each in the green tier and a highly coveted 15 editions only in the diamond tier. It features record-breaking Canadian hockey legend, Wayne Gretzky.

Throughout this year, the company plans to make sure additional drops of OneOf's sports legends NFT series take place.

"NFTs and blockchain technology are revolutionizing the collectibles space, and are increasingly viewed as an investment opportunity for enthusiasts," said Dawn Block, VP Collectibles, Electronics and Home at eBay.

"Forty years ago, I was grateful to be on the cover of Sports Illustrated, it was a monumental moment in my life," says Wayne Gretzky. "I'm honored to bring this collectible experience to my hockey fans who have followed my career for decades."

In 2021, eBay introduced industry-leading tools including Price Guide and Collection and Image Scan. This year, eBay expanded its Authenticity Guarantee service to trading cards and soon will launch the eBay vault: a secure storage facility and digital marketplace for trading cards that will foster fractionalization and allow users to transfer ownership from seller to buyer in a matter of seconds, with no need to re-authenticate or ship the item anywhere.